8th Grade

ELECTIVES | REQUIRED COURSES

At Whitman, each grade level has required CORE courses. For 6th grade, they are block classes with the same teacher for Social Studies/Language Arts and Science/Math. In 7th grade, Core courses are the same as 6th grade but they rotate teachers in math and science, keeping the block concept for Language Arts and Social Studies. As the students prepare for highschool in 8th grade, they enter the traditional rotation for all classes. Core classes still include Social Studies, Language Arts, Math and Science. Electives are chosen by students and forms are signed by parents giving permission to participate in the electives.

8TH GRADE ELECTIVES

TV 1 (Exploration Level)

• Basic camera, digital video, music production, and public speaking concepts and skills
• Plan, write, act, direct, film, and edit short productions
• Media literacy concepts to encourage students to become "critical viewers""
  
  

• Build upon TV 1 experience
• Help produce student shows that are broadcast to the entire school
• Work on individual and group projects that include journalistic news reporting, producing short films & documentaries, and music videos

TV 3

• Self-directed and teacher directed projects
• Assist other students and teachers in the use of video production
  
  
Wood Technology
• Use of tool operations and construction of suitable beginning projects
• Names, uses and care of hand tools,
• Kinds of woods, materials and their use in project construction
• Finishing methods and project planning from simple working drawings

CAD 1 (Computer Aided Drawing)

• Introduction to different methods of drawing objects, using circles, polylines, arcs, & lines
• As they progress & learn, they will be able to explore & create their own 2D & 3D objects
• Instruction for life long learning, decision making & learning how to be a part of an increasing technological world
• Involves the application of physical laws, scientific principles and mathematical skills to design objects in the real world.

Architectural Drawing

• For the student who excels in CAD may move into a higher level with Chief Architect
• Progresses through a series of tutorials to draw a house (While a challenging course, some students have actually designed a house in less than two weeks)

2D Art

• Students are introduced to the basic elements of 2-D design and a variety of media.
• Proper construction and good craftsmanship are stressed, while allowing for individual expression
• Explore and tap into innate abilities, especially for those who may have doubted their artistic talent
• Sharing ideas and developing positive social skills.
  
  
Illustration
• Must take 2D art first
• Class devoted to Visual Storytelling
• Introduction to a variety of techniques and styles used in the production of Graphic Novels
• Learn how to combine imagery and language to express their unique perspectives
  
  
Creative Writing
• Writing narrative pieces
• Help students express themselves through fiction work
• Work on a variety of writing styles such as poetry and short stories
  
  
Journalism
• Learn how to write articles, columns, and editorials for school newspaper
• Learn reporting skills, editing skills, & copy layout skills
  
  
Yearbook
• Learn different aspects of what makes a good yearbook
• Use Word to create notices and text for the yearbook
• Take digital photos and prepare them for use in the yearbook
• Create pages with templates from yearbook company then add photos, captions and text
• Check the proofs and make adjustments as needed
  
  
Guitar
• Many music styles studied
• Right hand techniques include finger picking & strumming
• Left hand techniques include playing chords and melodic lines
• Learn to read both traditional notation and TAB
• (The school provides acoustic guitars, but students are welcome to bring their own.)
  
  
Band
• Students who are more advanced on their instruments and are ready for advanced playing, new time signatures and key signatures in sharps
• Prerequisite is Junior Band or an audition with Mr. Baldwin
  
  
Orchestra
• For students who want to play a string instrument, violin, viola, cello, or bass. Experience welcome but not necessary.
• Learn to play fluently in first position and begin shifting up the instrument.
• Learn to improvise, compose, and use computer music notation
• Study basic & advanced note reading, including sixteenth note combinations, 6/8 time signatures, triplets, etc.
• Tuning and vibrato are also taught in this class
  
  
World Language 1 and 2
Spanish, Japanese, French
• Two year elective class offered beginning of 7th grade year and continuing on in the 8th grade year.
• Two-year time span allows a slower pace while also providing more enrichment activities
• Designed to cover beginning vocabulary, phrases and grammar with emphasis on meaningful communication
• Develop reading, writing and listening skills in foreign language
• Exposure to culture through crafting, authentic texts, food, video, music and geography
• Must complete Level 1 with a "C" or higher to continue on to Level 2
• Same content as a first year high school course. Students who complete both years successfully prepared for second-year foreign language at high school level

8TH GRADE REQUIRED COURSES

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